That's it, I have had it. I can no longer deal with the de-christmasization of Christmas. In yet another assinine step, a school district in Kirkland, Washington has taken the classicism out of Christmas. Actually, it is not the school district, but a principal who killed a showing of Charles Dickens' A Christams Carol due in part to Tiny Tim's closing line, "God Bless Us, Everyone."
The principal in Kirkland noted that the play's message and language may send the wrong idea to students about the separation of church and state. While certainly Dickens' story may have religious undertones and themes, it is not overly regligious, but rather a cautionary tale about being kind one's fellow man and community, about taking joy in the Christmas season and above all, caring for and celebrating family and friends. At least that is what I get out of it.
The trouble with this trend is that political correctness has caused us to worry so much about the celebration of Christmas that we take steps to remove any reference in our popular culture so as to avoid offending anyone--well now I am offended. I don't really consider myself a truly devout Catholic, for many reasons, but I have a daughter who is three this year and she is celebrating her first Christmas that she truly understands both the meaning and some of the mythology behind the holiday. What is she to think as she grows up about how poorly we respect both the religion behind the holiday and country in which she lives.
The Framers of our Constitution and their brethern were devoutly Christian, but no so foolish as to import the Eurpoean tradition of state sanctioned churches. The First Amendment simply means that there is no state supported or mandated church, not that there should be no religion in public life or acknowledgement of a Supreme Being. The First Amendment also says that Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
So fearful are we that we don't violate the "separation of church and state" that we take rediculous steps to avoid it. Denying the performance of A Christmas Carol, by a private theater group no less, at Christmas time is downright stupid. In our nation's zeal to "protect" our children from the overbearing inculcation of Judeo-Christian ethics means that we deny our children access to great works of literature, we deny our children the full knoweldge and understanding of the Founders' generation, time and beliefs--the very fundamental basis of our nation.
The Framers must be rolling over in their graves, they never could have imagined, must less intended, for our nation to deny our religious or cultural heritage. So I sing off with this wish to everyone, regardless of your religion:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!
God Bless America and in Tiny Tim's Words, "God Bless Us, Everyone."
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